Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 23, 2016 11:21:17 GMT 12
This is very interesting. The RNZAF's website states that the Central Band of the RNZAF formed in 1935 and made its debut performance two years later on the 12th of May 1937.
www.airforce.mil.nz/nr/exeres/23de8324-47f8-4b0c-8ea7-6b6fb32f1cc6,frameless.htm@nrmode=published.htm
However it seems moves were afoot to form the band before 1935, and before the RNZAF even got its name.
Back in November 1933 moves were afoot to raise money to form an Air Force Band,and NZPAF member Sir Charles Kingsford Smith helped to kick off the fundraising.
This comes from the New Zealand Herald, dated 6 November 1933:
AIR FORCE BAND
PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT
RAISING REQUIRED FUNDS
The establishment of a band for the New Zealand Air Force is at present the objective of a Dominion-wide movement, which aims at raising sufficient funds for the purpose of purchasing instruments. If the movement is successful, it will result in the formation of the first full military band in New Zealand.
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith is associated with the scheme, and has opened a fund with a substantial donation. The plan has the full approval of the authorities concerned. The Air Force band, when it is formed, will consist of about 37 players, who will be recruited for the purpose. A military band is not necessarily so called because it is attached to a military unit, but it refers to a particular instrumentation which includes reed instruments, and thus has a wider musical range than the ordinary brass band.
Committees are being formed in all towns throughout the Dominion, to be known as The Friends of the Air Force committees. A trust board is being arranged to administer the funds until the required amount has been raised, and Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington, has consented to act as chairman. Representatives from other centres will be elected almost immediately. The organisers of the movement hope to have the full amount required by the end of the year.
www.airforce.mil.nz/nr/exeres/23de8324-47f8-4b0c-8ea7-6b6fb32f1cc6,frameless.htm@nrmode=published.htm
However it seems moves were afoot to form the band before 1935, and before the RNZAF even got its name.
Back in November 1933 moves were afoot to raise money to form an Air Force Band,and NZPAF member Sir Charles Kingsford Smith helped to kick off the fundraising.
This comes from the New Zealand Herald, dated 6 November 1933:
AIR FORCE BAND
PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT
RAISING REQUIRED FUNDS
The establishment of a band for the New Zealand Air Force is at present the objective of a Dominion-wide movement, which aims at raising sufficient funds for the purpose of purchasing instruments. If the movement is successful, it will result in the formation of the first full military band in New Zealand.
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith is associated with the scheme, and has opened a fund with a substantial donation. The plan has the full approval of the authorities concerned. The Air Force band, when it is formed, will consist of about 37 players, who will be recruited for the purpose. A military band is not necessarily so called because it is attached to a military unit, but it refers to a particular instrumentation which includes reed instruments, and thus has a wider musical range than the ordinary brass band.
Committees are being formed in all towns throughout the Dominion, to be known as The Friends of the Air Force committees. A trust board is being arranged to administer the funds until the required amount has been raised, and Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington, has consented to act as chairman. Representatives from other centres will be elected almost immediately. The organisers of the movement hope to have the full amount required by the end of the year.
